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Written by Staff

Makeup Tips

FOUNDATION
Apply foundation and then concealer. By applying the foundation first, you see exactly where you still need more coverage. And as you apply the concealer, you will see if more or less is required.

SELECTING THE PROPER SHADE
The best place to test match your skin tone is on the chin and lower jaw area. To test a color, apply a small amount of foundation and feather out the blend. If the shade isn’t quite right select the next shade up or down in tone. Expect that the foundation chosen in mid-summer may be too dark in mid-winter. The objective of foundation is to smooth and blend skin tone and color differences to a natural healthy look of natural skin. If it looks like a mask, (or feels that way) than too much has been applied. If you see no difference, you have applied too little. Remember foundation should help you look simply beautiful.

CONCEALER
When a great deal of coverage is needed in a specific area, don’t apply heavy foundation to compensate. Use a concealer, which should be applied easier, faster and with better results. To find the right concealer for yourself pick the shade that best matches the skin tone at the lower eyelid. Application Tip: Apply concealer with a small brush. This way you can apply the product in the same exact size and shape necessary. If you use your finger, the size of the area you cover is dependent on the size of your finger.

POWDER
Translucent powders are designed to “set” make-up. The powder absorbs the oil or moisture in the make-up to create a dry surface on the skin. Translucent powders should not add color to your make-up. (Powders that incorporate foundations are used for coverage as a foundation and are not recommended for setting make-up)

Application Tip: A powder puff or large brush may be used to apply the powder as well as to brush away any excess.

LIPS
Take a good look at yourself; remember that color is an accessory. What color is your wardrobe and what color are you currently wearing? Select three colors in the same range- light, medium and dark. Try on each color and pick the one you feel most comfortable wearing.
For a natural lip look- cover the entire lip area with a pencil close to your lips natural shade. For intensified color- apply pencil over the entire lip area followed by a coordinating lipstick. For fuller lips- outline lips slightly outside the lip line and fill in with lipstick. In most cases you will want a pencil slightly darker than the lipstick. (Remember the lips have more color then the surrounding skin. Therefore the darker pencil is necessary to compensate). To correct uneven lips- Simply even the lips with the lip pencil and fill with lipstick. To minimize lipstick bleeding- Outline the lips with a broad line using a lip pencil. Powder the pencil line. Fill in the lips with lipstick, but carry the lipstick just up to the lip pencil. This helps set a barrier to keep the more emollient lipstick from bleeding outside the lips.

BLUSH
Once the lipstick and lip pencil have been selected, simply choose a blush in the same color family.

Skin Care Tips

Here is an at home version for smoother skin you can try yourself. Stir the juice of half a lemon into one cup of plain yogurt. Keep it in the refrigerator and apply it as you would a cream every night before bed. You can even apply a thin coat of moisturizer over it is you like, after waiting about five minutes for the yogurt mixture to penetrate. With consistent use, you should see more even pigmentation and smoother skin in three to four weeks.

· To avoid morning eye or facial puffiness, sleep on your back so fluid doesn't collect in your face. You can keep the oil from your hair away from your face by wearing a head covering or a soft headband when you go to bed. Keep in mind that too much stress can affect your overall health as well as your complexion.

· Keep environmental pollutants from being absorbed into the skin with a good moisturizer that also acts as a skin barrier. Check the labels for those with added Vitamin A, C and E, which help block the penetration of pollutants.

· A good exercise program such as aerobics can activate and rejuvenate the skin and improve circulation and blood flow. Also, body sweat triggers production of sebum, which is the skin's own natural moisturizer.

Remember to feed and nourish your skin by eating the proper foods. Give your skin a drink too. Those eight glasses of water a day your mom always told you to be sure to drink are essential to maintaining your skin's elasticity and suppleness, say experts. And don't count coffee or any of the caffeinated sodas as part of the eight glasses because caffeine is dehydrating. The water you choose can be sparkling water, mineral or straight from the tap. Another suggestion is that you keep a liter-size bottle close at hand, or simply drink a glass or two with your meals, and a few in between.